Ringwood, Illinois Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Ringwood, Illinois is a small village located in McHenry County, about 50 miles northwest of Chicago. It is situated on the banks of the Fox River and is home to about 800 people. The village was founded in 1849 by a group of settlers from New York and New England.

Ringwood has a rich history, as it was once home to the Potawatomi Indians who used the area to fish and hunt deer and other game animals. During the early 1800s, settlers began arriving in Ringwood and built cabins along the river. In 1870, Ringwood was incorporated as a village, with a population of just over two hundred people.

Today, Ringwood remains small but vibrant community that values its history and culture. The town has several historic buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places including the Old Town Hall (1876) and First Congregational Church (1890). It also boasts several parks such as Hahn Park which offers fishing, boating, swimming, tennis courts, playgrounds and picnic areas; plus its own golf course at Pine Meadow Golf Club.

One of Ringwood’s most popular attractions is its annual Apple Fest which takes place each fall at Hahn Park offering everything from homemade apple pies to live music entertainment. Other popular events throughout the year include Christmas in Ringwood celebration during December featuring caroling along Main Street; Easter Egg Hunt; 4th of July parade; plus Summerfest featuring arts & crafts shows and food vendors.

Ringwood offers a quiet country lifestyle with easy access to nearby cities such as Crystal Lake (8 miles), Woodstock (14 miles) or McHenry (15 miles). It’s also close to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (60 miles) making it an ideal location for commuters or those wanting an escape from city living without having to travel too far away from all the amenities urban life has to offer.

Overall, Ringwood is an ideal place for those looking for a small-town atmosphere while still being close enough to big city conveniences. With its friendly residents and historic charm, this quaint village continues to be one of McHenry County’s best kept secrets.

Population: 471. Estimated population in July 2024: 490 (+4.0% change)
Males: 240 (51.0%), Females: 231 (49.0%)

McHenry County

Zip code: 60072

Demographics

Median resident age: 43.2 years
Median household income: $71,250
Median house value: $200,700

Population by Race

Races in Ringwood:

  • White Non-Hispanic (98.5%)
  • Filipino (0.6%)

Ancestries: German (39.7%), Irish (14.0%), English (10.6%), Polish (8.7%), Italian (6.8%), Swedish (5.1%).

Elevation: 840 feet

Land area: 2.3 square miles

Map of Ringwood, IL

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Ringwood

  • High school or higher: 85.9%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.6%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 9.5%
  • Unemployed: 2.8%
  • Mean travel time to work: 29.2 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Ringwood village

  • Never married: 19.5%
  • Now married: 68.5%
  • Separated: 1.6%
  • Widowed: 5.7%
  • Divorced: 4.7%

6.6% Foreign born (5.9% Europe).

Population change in the 1990s: -26 (-5.2%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Ringwood:

  • NORTHERN ILLINOIS MEDICAL CENTER (about 5 miles; MCHENRY, IL)
  • MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 11 miles; WOODSTOCK, IL)
  • MEMORIAL HOSPITAL CORP OF BURLINGTON (about 19 miles; BURLINGTON, WI)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Ringwood:

  • KENOSHA REGIONAL (about 30 miles; KENOSHA, WI; Abbreviation: ENW)
  • CHICAGO O’HARE INTL (about 41 miles; CHICAGO, IL; Abbreviation: ORD)
  • GENERAL MITCHELL INTERNATIONAL (about 48 miles; MILWAUKEE, WI; Abbreviation: MKE)

Other public-use airports nearest to Ringwood:

  • GALT FIELD (about 5 miles; GREENWOOD/WONDER LAKE, IL; Abbreviation: 10C)
  • VINCENT (about 9 miles; GENOA CITY, WI; Abbreviation: 64C)
  • WESTOSHA (about 11 miles; WILMOT, WI; Abbreviation: 5K6)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Ringwood:

  • MCHENRY COUNTY COLLEGE (about 9 miles; CRYSTAL LAKE, IL; Full-time enrollment: 2,707)
  • COLLEGE OF LAKE COUNTY (about 19 miles; GRAYSLAKE, IL; Full-time enrollment: 6,973)
  • ELGIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 25 miles; ELGIN, IL; Full-time enrollment: 5,077)
  • WILLIAM RAINEY HARPER COLLEGE (about 27 miles; PALATINE, IL; Full-time enrollment: 8,229)
  • GATEWAY TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 33 miles; KENOSHA, WI; Full-time enrollment: 2,575)
  • TRINITY INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (about 34 miles; DEERFIELD, IL; Full-time enrollment: 2,121)
  • OAKTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 38 miles; DES PLAINES, IL; Full-time enrollment: 5,749)

Public primary/middle school in Ringwood:

  • RINGWOOD SCHOOL PRIMARY CTR (Students: 590; Location: 4700 N SCHOOL RD; Grades: PK – 02)